Martial artist Donnie Yen Chi-tan might just be the next Hong Kong action actor to make it internationally. That is, if he can recover from all the headaches of his new film, Ballistic Kiss.
Yen's second directorial effort has been nothing short of a lesson in film-making logistics and politics. Originally planned to be shot in English, the idea had to be scrapped when one of the leads could not speak the language effectively. Pressed by time and budget, some of Yen's artistic ambitions were sacrificed for commercial pragmatism. In addition, he was shooting in the traffic chaos of Kowloon City.
In Kiss, Yen plays a morally conflicted killer who falls for a female cop. Meanwhile, a crooked ex-cop who double-crossed him years earlier is making a move on the object of his affection. Naturally, much jealousy and gunfire ensue.
At the film's press conference, Yen is on the phone between interviews furiously trying to find out why another movie production will not release two of the film's actors to be present, even though they promised they would.
'I always knew there was politics in the film circle but sometimes it's just ridiculous,' Yen sighs.
Despite this angst, it has been a steady and successful climb for one of Asia's newest action heroes.